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Campaigning East Lancs mum’s heartbreak at latest water tragedy

A WATER safety campaigner whose son died in a hot weather swimming accident has expressed her condolences to the family of James Goodship.

Beckie Ramsay has relentlessly campaigned about the dangers of outdoor swimming since her son Dylan Ramsay, 13, got into difficulty while swimming at Hill Top Quarry, in Whittle-le-Woods, near Chorley in July 2011.

Despite being a strong swimmer, the cold water on a hot summer day proved fatal.

Beckie, 34, has been working to promote water safety by visiting schools giving talks about the dangers and has launched the Doing It For Dylan campaign in his memory.

Beckie said: “I was heartbroken to hear about James. I know only too well the despair and anguish that his parents, siblings and friends will feel.

“Youngsters swimming in unsupervised water are putting themselves at risk of death every single time.

“I would encourage all parents to spend five or 10 minutes with their children explaining the dangers of water and how it could prove fatal however warm it seems.”

Beckie is supporting United Utilities’ water safety awareness packs for schools with her emotional film, Dylan’s Story, in which she remembers her son and the day he died.

She has recorded a sobering interview about the loss her son in which she remembers Dylan and the day he died.

Beckie said: “It was hard doing the interview for the film, it always will be. But if hearing about Dylan’s death means that one less young person will be tempted to go into the water this summer, then it’s worth it.

“I’m pleased the film is going to be used as a teaching aid as part of this pack. People need to be aware of the danger.

“I would sum up the message that parents should give to their kids in four words. ‘No lifeguard, no swimming’.”

The resource pack, which is available online, includes three videos ‘Not A Game’, ‘A Cold That Can Kill’ and ‘Dylan’s Story’. They cover the theory, medical facts and real life impact of reservoir danger.